Toy

ABSTRACT

A toy comprising two unbalanced rotatable members pivoted at the end of a handle. By properly manipulating the handle to cause slow rotation of the members in opposite directions, the illusion is given of a pair of balls continually bouncing from each other in semi-circular paths.

United States Patent 1191 Boettcher [451 July 29,1975

1 1 TOY [76] inventor: Walter F. H. Boettcher, Box 8,

Cyrus, Minn. 56323 [22] Filed: June 11, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 478,235

[52] US. Cl. 46/47; 272/8 R [51] Int. Cl. A6311 l/32; A631 5/00 [58] Field of Search 46/47, 49, 51, l R;

272/8 R, 8 M, S D, 8 N; 40/33, 34, 37, 106.25,l06.4l,138, 139,125 L [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.956.369 10/1960 Rolin 46/49 X 3,225,472 12/1965 Guida ..40/l06.4l

Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merchant, Gould, Smith & Edell [57] ABSTRACT A toy comprising two unbalanced rotatable members pivoted at the end of a handle. By properly manipulating the handle to cause slow rotation of the members in opposite directions, the illusion is given of a pair of balls continually bouncing from each other in semicircular paths.

5 Claims', 2 Drawing Figures TOY BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of toys, and more particularly to a toy which is not only amusing to use, but assists the development of the users bodily coordination. and moreover creates an entertaining optical illusion in use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new toy.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a toy which assists in developing a users bodily coordination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy which creates an interesting optical illusion when in use,

Various other objects, advantages, and features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing which forms a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawing FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a toy according to my invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrative of the optical illusion created by my invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawing, my toy is shown to com prise an elongated handle having a longitudinal axis. Cooperating with handle 10 are a pair of spatially symmetrical members and or like dimensions. Member 20 comprises a central bar 21 and a pair of terminal discs 22 and 23. Bar 21 is drilled at its center of symmetry and carries a bearing and spacing lug 34, also drilled. A counterweight 25 is inset into disc 22 so that the center of gravity of the member is displaced from its center of symmetry.

Member 3% comprises a central bar 31 and a pair of terminal discs 32 and 33. Bar 31 is drilled at its center of symmetry and carries a bearing and spacing lug 34, also drilled. A counterweight is inset into disc 33 so that the center of gravity of the member is displaced from its center of symmetry.

A pivot pin is provided to pass through the members and bearing lugs, at the centers of rotation of the former, and into the end of handle 10 to secure the disc thereto in freely rotatable relation.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention bars 21 and 31 are transparent or unobtrusive in color so as to be of reduced visibility, and discs 22, 23, 32 and 33 are brightly colored to be highly visible.

In use the toy is held by the handle with weighted discs 22 and 33 in the relative positions shown in FIG. I. Then by a slight. relatively slow wrist movement in the general direction of the arrow the members are set into slow rotation in opposite direction about pivot 40, which rotation can be maintained indefinately by an easily learned correct timing of the users wrist.

To an observer the illusion is given that a pair of brightly colored balls are continually bouncing off each other in opposite directions following substantially semi-circular paths, as suggested in FIG. 2, although in fact the two members are in continuous rotation past each other in opposite directions.

It will be realized that the invention may take other equivalent forms. For example members 20, 30 may be transparent discs unbalanced by properly positioned weights of suitable sizes with smaller discs 22, 23, 32, 33 simply painted thereon.

Numerous objects and advantages of my invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, and the novel features thereof are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy comprising, in combination:

a handle having a longitudinal axis;

a pivot extending along said axis from one end of said handle;

first and second rotatable members each containing a central portion and at least one visually distinguishable peripheral portion, at least one of said central portions being transparent;

and bearing means mounting said members in axially spaced relationship for rotation about said pivot, the center of gravity of each member being displaced from the center of rotation thereof.

2. A toy comprising, in combination:

a handle having a longitudinal axis;

a pivot extending along said axis from one end of said handle;

first and second spatially symmetrical members of like dimensions, each of said members including a central bar and a pair of terminal discs unitary therewith, one of the discs of each pair being heavier than the other so that the centers of gravity of said members do not coincide with the centers of symmetry thereof;

and bearing means mounting said members in axially spaced relationship for rotation about said pivot on their axis of symmetry.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said central bar is transparent to be substantially invisible, and said terminal discs are highly colored to be highly visible.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said bearing means comprises an element unitary with at least one of said members and projecting therefrom at the center of symmetry thereof.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said bearing means comprises an element unitary with each of said members and projecting therefrom at the center of symmetry thereof.

a a e r 

1. A toy comprising, in combination: a handle having a longitudinal axis; a pivot extending along said axis from one end of said handle; first and second rotatable members each containing a central portion and at least one visually distinguishable peripheral portion, at least one of said central portions being transparent; and bearing means mounting said members in axially spaced relationship for rotation about said pivot, the center of gravity of each member being displaced from the center of rotation thereof.
 2. A toy comprising, in combination: a handle having a longitudinal axis; a pivot extending along said axis from one end of said handle; first and second spatially symmetrical members of like dimensions, each of said members including a central bar and a pair of terminal discs unitary therewith, one of the discs of each pair being heavier than the other so that the centers of gravity of said members do not coincide with the centers of symmetry thereof; and bearing means mounting said members in axially spaced relationship for rotation about said pivot on their axis of symmetry.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said central bar is transparent to be substantially invisible, and said terminal discs are highly colored to be highly visible.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said bearing means comprises an element unitary with at least one of said members and projecting therefrom at the center of symmetry thereof.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said bearing means comprises an element unitary with each of said members and projecting therefrom at the center of symmetry thereof. 